grind through this tough time the last week or so," Weiss sa

Under-fire Brisbane Lions captain Tom Rockliff has flatly rejected reports he is overweight and accused the media of trying to drive a wedge between players and coach Justin Leppitsch.Rockliff was the subject of a scathing newspaper column last week, which claimed the midfielder would not pass Carltons strict in-season skinfold requirements and was setting a bad example for his teammates.To suggest I dont train hard and he mentioned about my weight, as well, when I had a DEXA scan a few weeks ago that suggests Im in the best shape of my life, Rockliff told RSN radio on Wednesday.I think weve got a really good footy club that operates well and unfortunately at the moment, weve lost 12 games on the trot and everyones looking for answers.Externally, (the media is) trying to almost drive a wedge into our playing group and coaching staff and it is hard at times, but thats the industry we live in.Rockliff said he was pleased to see Leppitsch take his defence in a fiery press conference on the morning the column was printed, slamming it as lies and a bunch of bulls**t.I think it sent a really strong and clear message to the public out there that we are united and all pushing as one, Rockliff said.Hes commenting on rumours a lot at the moment, which becomes frustrating and I think he has to defend his job in every media (conference) that he does.Unfortunately were not playing the way we want to and getting the results we want, so hes always under the pump, but hes handled himself really well, we chat regularly.The Lions are at rock bottom following their 79-point loss to Greater Western Sydney on Sunday, played in front of a record-low Gabba crowd.The defeat was their 12th in a row, making it the longest losing streak in club history - worse than at any time during the Bad News Bears era of the early 1990s.Rockliff admitted Lions players were only half-doing things on the field.Were half-taking an opposition player out instead of fully committing to that... which translates to looking like you dont care or your effort isnt there, and thats not the case at all, he said.Brisbane are outsiders with bookmakers to beat Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Sunday in what shapes as a certain wooden spoon playoff. Matt Wieters Jersey . The Dane followed up his first European Tour title last weekend with eight birdies and just a single dropped shot on Thursday for a one-stroke advantage over South Africas Allan Versfeld and Portugals Ricardo Santos. Stan Musial Cardinals Jersey . -- Jaye Marie Green shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to increase her lead to five strokes after the second round of the LPGA Tours qualifying tournament. http://www.authenticcardinalspro.com/cardinals-willie-mcgee-jersey/ . Murray beat Sam Querrey 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-1, 6-3 to clinch Britains opening-round victory against the United States on Sunday at Petco Park. "Im proud of the way Im playing just now, because I had to do a lot of work to get back to where I want to be," Murray said after celebrating with his teammates on the red clay court in a temporary stadium in left field of the downtown home of baseballs San Diego Padres. Ken Boyer Jersey . The Australian is competing in his final season in Formula One and still looking for his first win this year. He will look to end Vettels run of six straight race wins on Sunday. Webber, who is fifth in the championship, earned his second pole from the past three races and 13th of his career. Vince Coleman Cardinals Jersey . Wilson hit Schenn from behind during Tuesday nights game in Philadelphia, earning a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct. He has a phone hearing with the department of player safety, which limits any potential suspension to five or fewer games. CHICAGO -- Carlos Gonzalez provided the Colorado Rockies with a much needed offensive boost. He homered twice and finished with a career-high five hits to lead the struggling Rockies to a 9-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. Gonzalez was 5 for 5 and fell a triple shy of a cycle, and Eric Young Jr. also homered for the Rockies, who had lost five of their last six. Colorado had scored 12 runs in those games, including eight Sunday at St. Louis. Colorado increased its lead to 5-0 in the third when Gonzalez hit his eighth of the season deep into the right-field bleachers. His home run in the ninth put the Rockies up 8-3 and gave him nine multi-home run games in his career. He also continued to torment the Cubs, raising his lifetime average against Chicago to .427, while getting to seven home runs and 16 RBIs in 19 games. Gonzalez became the first Rockies player to have five hits since Miguel Olivo on May 12, 2010, and his outburst was well-timed for a struggling Colorado team. "It was a bad stretch, not being able to score runs or be able to help the team," Gonzalez said. "I think the pitchers did a tremendous job every single game but its frustrating when youre not able to put runs on the board." That wasnt an issue for the Rockies, whose 17 hits matched a season-high allowed by the Cubs. Troy Tulowitzki had three while Eric Young Jr., Todd Helton, Nolan Arenado had two apiece for the Rockies. Along with Young, who hit his first home run of the season, Gonzalez paced the Rockies, who were in danger of falling to one game above .500 for the first time since April 10. "(Gonzalez) is one of those players thats always a day away from doing something like that, or doing something you rarely see in this game," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "Hes got that kind of ability. It was nice to see not only him, but our offence bust out tonight." Pitcher Jeff Francis also returned to form for the Rockies. Francis (2-3), winless since April 5, pitched six innings and gave up one run and three hits while striking out seven. After winning his first start, Francis was 0-3 with an 8.25 ERA over his next six outings. Francis slid awkwardly into second base in the sixth, tweaking his right knee and was taken out after pitching the inning, throwing just 80 pitches. The early exit, however, did little to diminish his night. "It was one of those nights where you kind of feel you had it going a little bit,&quoot; Francis said.dddddddddddd "Unfortunately that happened but weve got guys down there who are capable of doing what they did." Cubs starter Carlos Villanueva, meanwhile, did not have it going. Villanueva (1-3) allowed six runs and 12 hits in five innings for the Cubs. He is winless since April 18 and has allowed 18 earned runs in his last four starts after giving up five in his first four. With Matt Garzas return from the disabled list looming, Villanuevas time in the starting rotation could be short. "We will be a stronger team when (Garza) comes back. Obviously I have my own opinions, obviously a move will be made. Tonight didnt help my cause," Villanueva said. "For me I will take the ball whenever they need me." Cubs manager Dale Sveum wasnt really talking about any potential changes to the rotation. He said Tuesday wasnt a "tryout" for Villanueva. Perhaps that was a good thing for the Cubs starter. "Tonight he didnt have any one of his pitches," Sveum said. That was apparent early, with the Rockies scoring five times in the first three innings. Young hit his home run in the second, Gonzalez got his first homer in the third, and the Rockies built their lead. "We have a lineup that can explode at any time. Weve got a lot of offensive talent and weve had to grind through this tough time the last week or so," Weiss said. "I always feel like were capable of busting out with the group we have." NOTES: Roy Oswalt threw 64 pitches in an extended spring training start for the Rockies. He is scheduled to pitch again Saturday, and if that start goes well he is expected to join Double-A Tulsa. ... Garza, who hasnt pitched in the majors this season after straining a lat during spring training, is expected to make a rehab start Thursday for Triple-A Iowa. Following that outing, he and the team will decide if hell come back. Sveum didnt rule out going to a six-man rotation when Garza does come back. ... Rockies manager Walt Weiss said there hasnt been a decision made on whether Juan Nicasio will take his next start in the rotation. ... Cubs 3B Luis Valbuena was out of the lineup for the third straight day after suffering a jammed right pinky finger Saturday in Washington. Sveum said Valbuena will be in the lineup Wednesday in the finale of the three-game series. ... Wednesdays pitching matchup is Colorados Jon Garland (3-3, 4.83) against the Cubs Jeff Samardzija (1-5, 3.70). ' ' '